Derek Meech says he isn't deterred by possibility of being Red Wings' odd man out

AP File PhotoDefenseman Derek Meech, right, knows there might not be enough salary cap space for him to stay on the Detroit Red Wings' roster. He says he uses that as motivation to work hard.

DETROIT -- Derek Meech's goal heading into his third NHL season is to secure a permanent spot in the Detroit Red Wings' lineup.

But the 25-year-old defenseman realizes this could be the year the numbers game catches up to him, and that his future in Detroit could be linked to teammate Andreas Lilja's health.

Lilja likely will start the regular season on long-term injured reserve due to post-concussion symptoms. Once Lilja is cleared to play, the Red Wings will have eight defensemen and not enough salary cap space to keep all of them.

Meech could be the odd-man out, like Kyle Quincey was a year ago.

"I try not to think about that, just worry about playing hockey and whatever will be will be,'' Meech said. "We (him and management) had a meeting at the end of the season, talked about how the situation is, either get me playing here or somewhere else. That's just part of the business of hockey.

"You have to really work hard to establish yourself and keep a spot. Whether it's here or somewhere else I'm just going to do my best. But I want to be a Red Wing, first and foremost.''

Meech (5-11, 197) lacks size, but the Red Wings like his quickness, puck-moving ability and versatility. He played 41 games last season -- many of them at forward, where the team couldn9 9t afford an extra player due to the cap -- and 32 games as a rookie in 2007-08.

The club is set with its top five defensemen -- Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart and Jonathan Ericsson. Meech's best chance to crack the top six is to beat out Brett Lebda. That won't be easy, since Lebda has appeared in 60 postseason games in four years.

"I want to be part of the top six on this team so bad,'' Meech said. "The Detroit Red Wings are one of the best organizations and it's tough to crack this lineup, but I'm going to keep working hard and hopefully things work out.''

Meech beat out Quincey for the final roster spot in training camp a year ago. Quincey was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Kings and made an immediate impact with his new club. He was traded to Colorado in the off-season, but leaving Detroit was a great career move for Quincey.

Though Meech doesn't want to leave, he sometimes wonders if it would be best for his career.

"Being part of the Red Wings is such an honor, it's something I take great pride in, but you see other guys getting opportunities elsewhere and you kind of wonder in the back of your head if it could be a situation you could thrive in,'' Meech said. "The way I think about things is to try to make this club, and if things don't work out her e then hopefully it works out somewhere else.''

As a seventh-round draft pick in 2002 (229th overall), Meech was a longshot to make it to the NHL. He spent three seasons in Grand Rapids (AHL) before joining the Red Wings. Their reluctance to part with him shows they believe he can play in this league. Meech also has confidence in himself.

"I think last year and the year before I showed that I can play in this league,'' Meech said. "I've gotten on a few rolls where I felt really good in the lineup. But it's the same old thing. The numbers and the depth here are very high. You just have to stay patient and keep working hard and try to work your way into the lineup any way you can.''

He doesn't believe his ability to play forward has hurt his development as a defenseman.

"Babs (coach Mike Babcock) has been really good in throwing me in the lineup and putting me at forward and giving me a chance to play,'' Meech said.

"Obviously, I want to be playing defense, but it was great to play forward and try to create some energy last year.''